Did you know...? Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena is one of those plants that you like to have in your garden just because it smells so nice. The lemon-y scented leaves are refreshingly fragrant, especially when you brush past them. Lemon verbena even surpasses lemon balm and lemon grass for a citrus fragrance in the garden.
 
Lemon verbena is often used in soaps and potpourris, but it’s claim to fame is as a culinary herb. Lemon verbena is used in soups, sauces and fish and poultry dishes. You can make a tea with it. You can use it to flavour oils, vinegar and desserts. It’s great in a salad and it makes a lovely garnish. Very versatile!
 
It has been reported that lemon verbena has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has been used for digestive issues, to reduce inflammation and to help promote sleep. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before using lemon verbena medicinally. It can create problems for some people.
 
Lemon verbena is a tender perennial. It is a woody plant that needs pruning in the early spring to keep it full. Lemon verbena likes sunlight. It has sprays of little purple or white flowers in late spring or early summer. If you plant your lemon verbena in a pot, you can enjoy it outdoors all summer and then overwinter it inside. Leaf drop is normal in the winter, and you should continue to water it occasionally.
 
If life isn’t giving you enough lemons, it turns out that you can still make lemonade using lemon verbena. Chill your lemon verbena tea, then add some lemon juice and sweetener. Serve over ice with a sprig of lemon verbena to garnish. A refreshing twist on a summer classic.

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 

Did you know...? Holly

Holly is an evergreen plant that can be a shrub, a tree or a climber. Fossil evidence indicates that the holly species has been around since the time of dinosaurs.
 
There are many different varieties of holly. Most have spiny leaves that are green year-round. Holly berries (drupes) are red, brown or black. Rarely, they can be green or yellow. Holly leaves and berries are toxic and can be fatal if ingested by children.
 
This hardy plant has made its home in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, some varieties that are produced commercially have spread into native forest habitats and are crowding out native species.
 
Holly is an important food source for birds and animals, especially in the winter. It also offers them shelter from cold and windy storms.
 
Early European cultures believed holly to be a symbol of eternal life because the leaves stayed green all winter. Holly later became a part of Christian symbolism and is associated with Jesus Christ.   
 
At Christmas when we decorate our homes with boughs of holly, we aren’t just doing it because it looks nice. We are following traditions from cultures and people all the way back to ancient times. Holly symbolizes eternal life, happiness, protection, peace, hope and good luck. All good things to celebrate at Christmas. So go ahead. Have a holly, jolly Christmas.

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 

Did you know...? Parsley

 

Parsley is from the carrot family. It is a flowering herb that is native to the Mediterranean area but is grown worldwide.
 
Parsley requires full sun and well-drained soil. Parsley is a biennial but it is usually grown as an annual. In your home garden you can harvest as you require, picking the outside leaves first.
 
Parsley can be dried and then stored in an airtight container for use throughout the winter. If you have a sunny window, you could also repot a plant and bring it inside for the winter. I have successfully grown parsley in my miniature indoor hydroponic garden.
 
Flat-leaf parsley (Italian) is used in cooking. It is used in sauces, soups and salads. I love a bit of parsley in pasta dishes. Curly-leaf parsley (French) is most often used as a garnish.
 
Parsley has lots of nutrients, is rich in antioxidants and just like its carrot cousin it helps to protect your eyes. Lots of good reasons to grow some parsley in both your indoor or outdoor gardens.
 
"Parsley - the jewel of herbs, both in the pot and on the plate." Albert Stockli

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 

Did you know...? Thyme

Is it “thyme” for you to give this hardy perennial a spot in your garden? Aside from the many opportunities for some pun fun, thyme really is worth consideration when planning your garden.
 
There are over fifty varieties of thyme, only three of which are commonly used in cooking. French or English thyme is the most common culinary variety. Lemon thyme will give you a hint of lemony flavour, while caraway thyme has a nice caraway fragrance. Thyme has been described as having an earthy flavour.
 
The culinary varieties of thyme are all evergreen. They have small leaves and woody stems. You can harvest thyme during the summer and into the fall, as well. Take five or six inches off the top of the plants before they flower. You may want to leave some thyme to flower as it’s a pollinator plant and bees love it.
 
Thyme leaves can be used fresh, but you can also dry them by hanging bunches in a well-ventilated, dark place. You can also dry them in a dehydrator or at low heat in your oven.
 
Thyme is used with vegetables, soups, stews and meats like chicken and beef. You can even use it when baking. Use thyme sparingly until you know your preferences for it. Thyme is part of the Herbes de Provence blend.
 
Thyme is drought-friendly and does not like wet feet. Plant it in a well drained area. You can also plant it in a pot with drainage, and it will overwinter nicely right outside. Now that’s a “thyme” saving feature worth consideration!

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 

Did you know...? Chamomile

If you love chamomile tea, you should try growing this daisy-like herb. It’s very easy to grow and you can harvest the flowers in about 8 to 9 weeks after planting the seeds.
 
Chamomile blossoms from midsummer to early fall so you will always have a source of fresh flowers throughout the growing season. Dry the flowers for your winter cuppa by hanging them in a warm, dry spot or use a dehydrator. 
 
Most varieties of chamomile are considered perennial. That being said, chamomile self seeds so easily that you will always have new plants for years to come. They won’t always be where you want them, but you will have lots of them.
 
Chamomile is considered a medicinal herb. Studies have suggested that chamomile can be useful in the treatment of menstrual symptoms, diabetes, osteoporosis, inflammation, cancer, sleep & relaxation, cold symptoms and mild skin conditions.
 
If you are considering using chamomile for medicinal purposes, remember to check with your doctor or pharmacist about contraindications. Additionally, chamomile could produce an allergic reaction, especially if you have a known allergy to ragweed, daisy, chrysanthemum or marigolds. You should not use chamomile if you are pregnant. Do not give chamomile to infants and young children.
 
In addition to its many benefits, chamomile creates a lovely, delicate display and adds a fresh apple-y fragrance to your garden. Beneficial insects, like bees, like chamomile and you will often see butterflies flitting about. Chamomile brings lots of enjoyment, both in the garden and in your cup. Chamomile is the beau-tea-ful herb.

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 
 
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320031#benefits

Did you know...? Milkweed...

Common milkweed is a native plant in my area of Canada. I started growing it about three years ago when I created my butterfly garden. Monarch butterflies love it and lay their eggs on the leaves so that the newly hatched larvae can munch on the milkweed leaves. This is the only food source for monarch larvae, making common milkweed a critical link in the survival of this beautiful, but endangered species of butterfly.

For decades, common milkweed was once listed as a noxious weed, but due to lobbying on behalf of monarch butterflies, it has been removed from the list here in Ontario. Some provinces still have it listed on their noxious weed lists. 

Common milkweed can be dangerous to some livestock and poultry. Pets can be poisoned if they ingest it. Common milkweed is also toxic to people. 

Common milkweed can be very invasive. I have mine planted in a raised bed that confines the propagative roots. It’s also within a fenced in area that keeps the grandchildren out of harm’s way. 

Monarch butterflies are attracted to the heavily scented flowers of the common milkweed. The blooms are usually pink or purple, but can also be white. Common milkweed is perennial so once it’s established, you’ll always have a supply. 

With some safety considerations, common milkweed makes a great addition to your summer garden. We have monarchs flitting about most of the summer and they are amazing to watch. Such beautiful creatures! We’ve had some monarchs lay eggs but have yet to see a larva survive to the chrysalis stage. Fingers crossed for next summer!

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 

Did you know...? Chives...

Chives are a perennial herb that look like little onions. They are in fact part of the onion family. They are not, however, the same as green onions or scallions.
 
Chives have a mild onion flavour that serves as a delicious accent to lots of different foods, including salads, dips and soups. One of my favourite combinations is chives sprinkled on sour cream on top of a baked potato. Yum!
 
Chives are easy to grow and require little care. They are not invasive. One plant will probably give you enough for modest use.
 
Chives are great for a pollinator garden. The bees love the purple flowers.
 
Chives can be harvested throughout the growing season. They can be enjoyed throughout the year if you dry them. Chives dry well. I use a dehydrator, but you can also hang them in bunches in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space or dry them in the oven at a very low temperature.
 
I have fond memories of our next-door neighbour dropping by my garden to pick chives throughout the summer. She loved them and I loved sharing them with her.
 
If you like onions, but they don’t always like you, chives may just be the answer to your craving. Enjoy!

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 

Did you know...? Summer Savory...

Summer savory is an annual herb that grows well in southern Canada and in the Maritimes. It likes rich, well drained soil and is easy to grow from seeds or seedlings.

Summer savory’s flavour is often compared to oregano and thyme. It has a delicate peppery, almost minty taste. Summer savory is used to flavour many different foods, including meat, fish, eggs, soups and beans.

Since our move to the Niagara area, I have grown summer savory in a large pot. Summer savory can be used fresh or dried. It is more aromatic when dried. I harvest my summer savory in early summer before it flowers and dry it in a dehydrator.

Summer savory is one of the herbs that I use most. It is so versatile. You can quite literally, use it in almost anything that you are cooking. Sprinkle it on chicken or fish, mix it into scrambled eggs, add it to baked beans. The flavour is subtle and serves as an accent to whatever you are cooking.

Summer savory is a traditional herb in the Maritimes. It is used in dressings, stews and meat pies.
Summer savory is one of the signature ingredients in herbes de Provence. 

Summer savory has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including cough and diarrhea, but so far there has been little scientific research to support these claims.

Summer savory’s claim to fame is its use in the culinary arts. If you haven’t tried this herb, now is the time to add a fresh sprig to your salad or a dash of dried summer savory to your baked chicken recipe. It might just become one of your favourite herbs, too.

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 

Did you know...? Oregano...

 

Oregano is one of my favourite herbs. I grow it every summer and dry most of it for winter use. It’s great in pasta sauce or on pizza.

Oregano is a hardy perennial in my zone (6b). Since we moved, I have been growing it in large pots and treating it like an annual. This winter I am experimenting with over-wintering it in the garage. I am hopeful that it will revive in the spring.

Oregano is part of the mint family. It originated in the Mediterranean area. Oregano has little purple-pink flowers. It is sometimes called wild marjoram.

Oregano oil has been used for centuries in herbal medicine. There is some evidence that it can help fight bacteria, relieve inflammation and even regulate blood sugar.

You can add fresh or dried oregano leaves to a variety of foods. If you are using fresh oregano, make sure that you are just using the leaves. The stems can be woody and pose a choking hazard. For maximum flavour, add oregano towards the end of the cooking process. 

If you are going to dry your oregano, pick it just before it flowers. Hang to dry or use a dehydrator. Store in an airtight container.

Oregano doesn’t require a lot of care making it a great choice for the busy gardener or chef.

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 

#didyouknow

Did you know...? Peppermint...

Did you know that peppermint is a cross between water mint and spearmint? It is just one of over 7000 varieties of mint.

Peppermint is one of my favourite herbs. I use it to make jelly for toast and I love peppermint patties.

Mint can be grown outdoors or inside. In the garden it can be invasive. In fact, I've taken to growing it in large pots that I overwinter in the garage. Inside, it requires a pot with good drainage and some sunshine.

Mint is popular in cooking. It is used to treat a myriad of health problems, such as digestive issues and headaches. It is also a natural option for repelling mice and insects. And, of course, who doesn't love peppermint candies?

Don't use peppermint if you have GERD or are taking an acid reducing medication. Peppermint may also make gallstones worse. If you are considering using peppermint for medicinal purposes, remember to check with your doctor or pharmacist about contraindications.

Reference: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/peppermint

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog 

Did you know...? Rosemary...

Wow! In one study, rosemary oil was found to be as effective as Rogaine for stimulating hair growth and preventing hair loss. Rosemary oil was also used in a study as a treatment for androgenic alopecia.

You can mix a few drops of rosemary essential oil with a carrier oil and massage it into your scalp a couple of times a week, or you can just buy some rosemary hair oil.

Always use caution when experimenting with essential oils. They are very concentrated and will irritate sensitive skin. Also, pregnant and nursing women should not use rosemary products. If you have concerns, speak to a health professional.

🔍To return to the main page, please click on the banner at the top of this page or click on this link: Cupola Corner Blog